ChicopeeFRESH
  • About
    • Local Sourcing
    • School Gardens
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact >
      • Volunteer
      • Media >
        • Photos
        • Project Food Awareness
  • Food Truck
  • Farm to School 101
    • Events
  • Menus
  • Resources
    • For Families
    • For Food Services
  • Blog
  • About
    • Local Sourcing
    • School Gardens
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact >
      • Volunteer
      • Media >
        • Photos
        • Project Food Awareness
  • Food Truck
  • Farm to School 101
    • Events
  • Menus
  • Resources
    • For Families
    • For Food Services
  • Blog

Read Our Blog

pumpkin growing contest at chicopee elementary schools

10/10/2015

1 Comment

 
Back in June, fourth graders at all eight Chicopee Elementary Schools germinated pumpkin seeds in their classrooms as part of a contest to see which student could grow the heaviest pumpkin. Students then brought their pumpkins home over the summer, where they learned lessons in gardening, plant cycles, and most importantly, perseverance. Our hope at ChicopeeFRESH is that by directly engaging in the growing process, students gain an appreciation for local farming efforts and take a more vested interest in their food choices. 

It's safe to say that the students were pretty excited about growing pumpkins. Here are some notable quotes from our contest entry forms:

I feel good about growing a seed because its cool seeing it grow and change each month.

Growing a pumpkin is hard work and dirty. It is awesome growing a pumpkin!!!

My experience was so cool it felt like the whole world was swirling.

This is my first time growing a pumpkin and I'm excited because I get to try something new.
​
For eighteen fifth graders across seven Chicopee elementary schools, the summer's hard work and excitement paid off this Thursday and Friday when we finally weighed the pumpkins and awarded prizes. The first place winner at each school received a brand new bike, and the runner up scored a $25 Visa gift card. All participants received vouchers for a free ice cream cone at McCray's Farm in South Hadley, MA. 

The 2015 Chicopee Pumpkin Growing Contest results are as follows:

Bowe: 1st - Eric Martins (8.4lbs), 2nd - Janelli Beltran (3.72lbs), 3rd - Geno McGahee (2.92lbs)
Litwin: 1st - Avery Wajda (8.53lbs), 2nd - Alex Jovan (5.28lbs), 3rd - Selena Mokan (2.41lbs),
4th - Jan Michael Torres (0.08lbs)
Barry: 1st - Trey Terlik (8.57lbs)
Lambert-Lavoie: 1st - Emily Boyer (6.72lbs), 2nd - Izabella LaFond (5.06lbs), 3rd - Blaize Mack (3.25lbs), 4th - Gracie Martineau (1.90lbs)
Streiber: 1st - Luke Theroux (9.47lbs), 2nd - Zachary Breault (6.55lbs), 3rd - Sofia Gonzalez (0.99lbs)
Fairview: 1st - Cody McCollaum (1.78lbs)
Bowie: 1st - Trinity Tardy (8.91lbs), 2nd - Frank Manegio (0.88lbs)

Congratulations to all of our winners! We are so proud of all of your hard work and perseverance throughout the contest!

ChicopeeFRESH is happy to announce that we will be hosting the Chicopee Pumpkin Growing Contest again in 2016! Stay tuned for more updates! 

Check out the slideshow below for pictures of all of our participants and winners! Great job everybody! 
1 Comment
KiK Girls Ontario link
4/3/2021 09:06:46 pm

Thhanks great blog post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Authors:

    The ChicopeeFRESH team is a group of creative individuals who are working to feed Chicopee students healthy, local and FRESH foods each day. 

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    April 2020
    March 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    Categories

    All
    Cooking
    Garden
    Harvest Spotlight
    Molly Burke

    RSS Feed

Picture